For Immediate Release

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Staff Promotions and New Roles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 14, 2025) The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce announced a series of staff promotions and new positions aimed at advancing strategic priorities, improving operations, and strengthening services to the regional business community.

“We are capitalizing on strong momentum from the first quarter of the year and leaning into our pillars of Innovation, Initiation, and Strategic Growth,” said Stephanie Coleman, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “These promotions and new positions will enhance our ability to serve members with greater impact while creating new opportunities for our talented team to lead.”

The Chamber promoted five team members and created three new positions to strengthen member support and advance its mission to create economic prosperity across the region.

Staff promotions and new hires include:

  • Chad Handshy joins the Chamber as chief financial and administrative officer, overseeing all financial, administrative, and human resource functions for the Chamber, its Foundation, and related organizations.
  • Melia Leedy has been promoted to senior vice president of growth, responsible for leading revenue generation and expanding market share through the acquisition, retention, and engagement of members and Partnership 2030 investors, while supporting member and investor relations teams to achieve success.
  • Carlie Zadick has been promoted to vice president of economic development, partnering with regional stakeholders to lead business retention, expansion, and recruitment efforts in alignment with the P2030 regional economic development strategy, and serving as a primary contact for companies and site selection consultants to advance growth in target industries.
  • Nate Hutcheson has been promoted to director of creative services, responsible for establishing and maintaining brand standards across all creative materials and ensuring alignment with the Chamber’s visual and messaging strategy.
  • Meg Reinsch has been promoted to director of executive affairs, coordinating cross-functional engagement, managing key communications and high-priority scheduling, and leading initiatives that enhance the internal and external impact of the Executive Office.
  • Cat Boose joins the Chamber as director of events, a new role leading the execution of more than 85 annual programs that elevate member engagement, champion innovation, and amplify the Chamber’s brand through exceptional event experiences.
  • Sonya Flanagan joins the Chamber as business development team lead, a new position focused on driving membership and sponsorship sales and expanding opportunities for business engagement.
  • Caitlyn Klausser has transitioned to manager of economic development, implementing the Partnership 2030 strategy by building relationships, guiding relocation and expansion projects, and collaborating with community partners to drive regional growth.
  • Leah Hunter joins the Chamber as administrative receptionist and office coordinator, maintaining a welcoming office environment for members, prospective members, and staff, and managing general inquiries across multiple communication channels.
  • Sophie Buckley joins the Chamber as coordinator of economic development, a new role that supports team operations, events, and marketing initiatives while assisting with relocation and expansion projects.

Media Contact:
Jordan LaBelle
Manager of Communications
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Cell: 615-743-3018
jlabelle@nashvillechamber.com

For more information, visit nashvillechamber.com.

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About the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing over 1,800 member companies. Belong, engage, lead, prosper embodies the Chamber’s focus on creating economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership. Established in 1990 as an economic development and community enhancement initiative of the Chamber, Partnership 2030 is a regional cooperative dedicated to making Middle Tennessee among the nation’s best places to live, work, and do business. Partnership 2030 is supported by a diverse group of public and private companies as well as governmental agencies from the organization’s 10-county service area. The work of the Chamber is supported by its members, Partnership 2030 investors, and sponsors; the Chamber’s Pivotal Partners (a partnership at the highest level for all Chamber programs and events) are Gresham Smith and Regions Bank. For more information, visit www.nashvillechamber.com.